Hunting fallow deer in South Africa

Fallow deer scientific name: Damma damma damma

Hunting fallow deer in South Africa takes place mainly in the Free State and East Cape. Due to the agreeable climate to fallow deer in these hunting areas South African fallow deer achieve tremendous trophy quality when compared to its native country. Fallow deer were introduced to South Africa by the occupying British in the 1860’s and have been in South Africa for so long they can almost be accepted as native animals.

We have not started using croaking as a hunting method for fallow deer hunting in South Africa yet. When we hear the roar (or rutting call) of a fallow deer (or red stag in South Africa) we know we are set for hunting.

Hunting fallow deer in South Africa with Mkulu African Hunting Safarisis a plains game hunting experience to look forward to. Our fallow deer hunting opportunities are mainly in the Free State but because fallow deer hunting can be done in many of our Provinces we are not limited to only hunting fallow deer in one Province.

General information

Male fallow deer are known as bucks and females are known as a doe. Bucks start wearing antlers from the age of three years and up. The difference between antlers and horns are twofold: firstly, antlers develop velvet and are shed at the end of the breeding season, while horns are never shed. If broken, horns never regrow. Horns consist of calcium, surrounded by keratin making it impossible to be referred to as antlers.

In general fallow deer bucks are not territorial but will disperse during the rut and mate with groups of doe’s moving past.

Fallow deer are strict grazers who prefer wooded areas with large open fields close by. Fallow deer are agile and sprint well over short distances.

In South Africa there are mainly two color variations present: the brown or common and then a white colored fallow deer.

Information on hunting fallow deer in South Africa

Fallow deer hunting prices South Africa

Fallow deer hunting prices in South Africa for the 2019 hunting season is $ 1 250.

Our fallow deer hunting prices in South Africa are set for the 2019 fallow deer hunting season unless major currency exchange rate fluctuations take place. In such an event we will honor the initially agreed upon prices prior to the start of your hunt. Unless of course if the fallow deer prices come down, in which case we will offer you the lower prices.

Best caliber for hunting fallow deer

The best caliber for hunting fallow deer in South Africa would be a medium bore rifle that you can shoot accurately and feel comfortable using. There are numerous calibers out there that will be able to effectively hunt fallow deer with and we wish not to get involved in debating on the merits of each.

Mkulu African Hunting Safaris suggests the following calibers as being the best calibers for hunting fallow deer in South Africa:

243

6.5 X 55

270

7 X 57

7 mm Rem Mag

7 mm 08

308

30-06

300 WSM

300 Win Mag and any comparable calibers.

Best ammunition for hunting fallow deer

Mkulu African Hunting Safaris recommends you only use premium grade ammunition when hunting fallow deer in South Africa.

Our preferred ammunition manufacturer is Barnes TTSX in just about any weight. Other premium grade ammunition manufactures you can use would be Federal Premium, Sierra and others.

Best gun scope for hunting fallow deer

There are numerous gun scopes and gun scope brands available on the market today. It is our experience that the more costly gun scopes like Leupold and Swarovski optics certainly provide more light under darker conditions. The single most important issue would be for the gun scope to be able to withstand the recoil once you squeeze the trigger.

A good 2 – 12 X 50 gun scope should be sufficient for hunting fallow deer in South Africa due to a wide zoom range and a long eye relief which will allow for greater flexibility to view the reticule quicker.

Average fallow deer shooting distance

The average expected shooting distance when hunting Fallow deer in South Africa is 100 to 200 yards depending on the terrain you are hunting in.

Shot placement when hunting fallow deer in South Africa

Broadside shot

The shot should be placed right on the shoulder in line with the front leg, one third of the way up from the bottom of the brisket to the top of the back.

Quartering to shot

The shot should be placed at the spot bisecting the angle formed by the front legs, aiming at the opposite shoulder at the same height as a broadside shot.

Quartering away shot

The shot should be placed at the spot bisecting the angle formed by the front legs, aiming at the opposite leg at the same height as for a broadside shot. Care should be taken not to hit the stomach.

Facing to shot

The shot should be placed where the bottom of the throat meets the chest.

Tips for hunting fallow deer in South Africa

To walk-and-stalk when hunting fallow deer is the traditional way of going about it. Fallow deer like to hole up in tall grass and lay in wait till slightly before being stepped on. When they feel in too much danger they will take off at a dead run and mostly stop after about 100 – 180 yards. It is at that time that the hunter should be ready to take the shot.

Best time of year for hunting fallow deer in South Africa

Traditionally the grass in the best fallow deer hunting areas is rather tall during our summer months from November to April. From June to August the grass starts to recede rather quickly and during September and October the daily temperatures start rising while the grass recedes to a minimum.

The best time of year for hunting fallow deer in South Africa is March to the beginning of September when the fallow deer stags start shedding their antlers.

When hunting fallow deer in the Free State the terrain opens up to large open plains and even mountainous areas. This is where the skill of the hunter is tested with regards to marksmanship.